Near field communication system, and method of operating same

ABSTRACT

The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a system comprising a portable sensor device including a housing having a physical size/shape that is adapted to couple to a user&#39;s body, an identification tag including identification data which is associated with the sensor device and an identification tag transmitter to responsively and wirelessly transmit the identification data according to a first communication protocol. The system further includes a portable electronic device including an identification tag receiver to wirelessly receive the identification data of the identification tag according to the first communication protocol, transceiver circuitry to wirelessly and responsively communicate with the sensor device according to a second communication protocol, and processing circuitry to instruct the transceiver circuitry, after receiving the identification data, to wirelessly request, from the sensor device the sensor data and/or data which is representative of the sensor data.

RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/606,559, entitled “Near Field CommunicationSystem, and Method of Operating Same”, filed Mar. 5, 2012; the contentsof the Provisional Application are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

INTRODUCTION

In one aspect, the present inventions relate to systems and circuitryfor and/or methods of establishing communication between (1) anactivity, biometric and/or environmental sensor device (for example, anactivity monitoring device such as any device described and illustratedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/156,304, entitled “PortableMonitoring Devices and Methods of Operating Same”, filed Jun. 8, 2011)having one or more activity, biometric and/or environmental sensors andactive and/or passive wireless “transmitter” unit (for example, nearfield communication “NFC” transmitter) to transmit an identification tagassociated with the sensor device, and (2) a processing device havingwireless receiver (for example, NFC reader circuitry) to detect theidentification tag of the activity, biometric and/or environmentalsensor device wherein, in response to detecting the identification tag,the processing device may execute an application or implement anoperation associated with or corresponding to the detectedidentification tag.

Briefly, users of electronic devices typically have to learn abstractoperating systems to be able to use their portable electronic devices.For example, to perform a synchronizing operation or function, aportable activity/biometric monitoring device (such as a Fitbit activitytracker) to another/second electronic device (for example, a smart phoneor computer), the user navigates through one or more virtual menus orscreens on the portable activity/biometric monitoring device, launchesor initiates execution of the application, navigates through theapplication to find a synchronization menu (on the portable electronicdevice(s)), and finally enables, initiates and/or implements asynchronization operation between the portable activity/biometricmonitoring device and the smart phone or computer. This user interactionoften is not as intuitive as many other physical interactions. Forexample, to open an automatic door, one simply has to move in front ofthe door and it opens. This interaction with the automatic door is sonatural and intuitive that someone completely unfamiliar with anautomatic door would be able to open it. In one aspect, the presentinventions described herein aim or are directed to replace non-intuitiveuser interactions found in conventional user interfaces with moreintuitive interactions, for example, as natural as the automatic door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the course of the detailed description to follow, reference will bemade to the attached drawings. These drawings show different aspects ofthe present inventions and, where appropriate, reference numeralsillustrating like structures, components, materials and/or elements indifferent figures are labeled similarly. The various embodimentsdisclosed herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to the same and/or similarstructures/components/features/elements. It is understood that variouscombinations of the structures, components, features and/or elements,other than those specifically shown, are contemplated and are within thescope of the present inventions.

Moreover, there are many inventions described and illustrated herein.The present inventions are neither limited to any single aspect norembodiment thereof, nor to any combinations and/or permutations of suchaspects and/or embodiments. Moreover, each of the aspects of the presentinventions, and/or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone or incombination with one or more of the other aspects of the presentinventions and/or embodiments thereof. For the sake of brevity, certainpermutations and combinations are not discussed and/or illustratedseparately herein.

FIG. 1A illustrates, in block diagram form, a processing device havingan NFC reader and a sensor device having an NFC tag, whereby theprocessing device may wirelessly communicate with the NFC tag of thesensor device whereby in response to determining the identification dataof the NFC tag, the processing device may execute one or moreapplications or implement one or more operations (for example, anapplication/operation which implements communication (for example,communication of data and/or command—such as, for example, sensorconfiguration data), synchronization and/or pairing with associated witha sensor device) associated with or corresponding to the detected NFCtag, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiment of the presentinventions;

FIG. 1B illustrates, in block diagram form, a sensor device, aprocessing device having an NFC reader and a proxy device having an NFCtag, whereby the processing device may wirelessly communicate with theNFC tag of the proxy device, in accordance with one or more exemplaryembodiment of the present inventions, wherein in one embodiment, theprocessing device, in response to determining the identification data ofthe NFC tag, may execute one or more applications or implement one ormore operations associated with or corresponding to the detected NFC tag(for example, an application/operation which implements communication(for example, communication of data and/or command—such as, for example,sensor configuration data), synchronization and/or pairing with theassociated sensor device), in accordance with one or more exemplaryembodiment of the present inventions; notably, the processing device maysend and receive data and/or commands to and from a sensor device whichis associated with the NFC tag of the proxy device (which, in turn, isassociated with a sensor device);

FIG. 2A illustrates, in flowchart form, exemplary operations of a sensoror proxy device having the NFC tag physically coupled thereto;

FIG. 2B illustrates, in flowchart form, exemplary operations of aprocessing device launches, runs and/or executes one or moreapplications and performs operations in response to detecting thepresence of a sensor or proxy device having an NFC tag;

FIGS. 3A and 3C illustrate, in block diagram form, a processing devicehaving an NFC reader and a sensor device having an NFC tag, whereby theprocessing device wirelessly communicates with the NFC tag of the sensordevice and, in response initiates communication (of, for example, dataand/or commands) with one or more external devices, appliances and/ornetworks (for example the Internet), in accordance with one or moreexemplary embodiment of the present inventions, wherein in oneembodiment, the processing device, in response to determining theidentification data of the NFC tag, executes one or more applications orimplements one or more operations associated with or corresponding tothe detected NFC tag (for example, an application/operation whichimplements communication, synchronization and/or pairing with associatedexternal devices, appliances and/or a network (for example, theInternet), in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventions; notably, the processing device may send and receivedata and/or commands to and from the sensor device and/or one or moreassociated external devices, appliances and/or a network (for example,the Internet which are associated with the NFC tag of the sensor device;here, a sensor device having an NFC tag is wirelessly read by aprocessing device and, in response, initiates, enables and/or providescommunication with one or more external devices, appliances and/ornetworks (which may provide, enable and/or facilitate cloud computingresources);

FIG. 3B illustrates, in block diagram form, a processing device havingan NFC reader and a proxy device having an NFC tag, whereby theprocessing device wirelessly communicates with the NFC tag of the sensordevice and, in response initiates communication (of, for example, dataand/or commands) with one or more sensor devices, appliances and/ornetworks (for example the Internet), in accordance with one or moreexemplary embodiment of the present inventions, wherein in oneembodiment, the processing device, in response to determining theidentification data of the NFC tag, executes one or more applications orimplements one or more operations associated with or corresponding tothe detected NFC tag (for example, an application/operation whichimplements communication, synchronization and/or pairing with associatedexternal devices, appliances and/or a network (for example, theInternet), in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventions; notably, the processing device may send and receivedata and/or commands to and from one or more associated sensor devices,appliances and/or networks (for example, the Internet) which areassociated with the NFC tag of the sensor device; here a proxy devicehaving an NFC tag is wirelessly read by a processing device and, inresponse, initiates, enables and/or provides communication with one ormore sensor devices, appliances and/or networks (which may provide,enable and/or facilitate cloud computing resources);

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates an exemplary sensor device having an NFC tagdisposed in the housing of the sensor device, in accordance with one ormore exemplary embodiment of the present inventions; notably, the NFCtag is disposed in the housing to, for example, protect the NFC tag fromdamage and/or wear and tear during normal use by the user; although theNFC tag is illustrated here to be disposed in the housing, such NFC tagmay be physically coupled and/or fixed to an outer or exposed surface ofthe sensor device; indeed, an NFC tag may be secured and/or coupled tothe sensor device using any technique or mechanism now known or laterdeveloped;

FIG. 5 illustrates a proxy device in conjunction with an associatedsensor device, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventions, wherein the proxy device includes a sensor casein which the sensor device resides during operation, and an NFC tagwhich is associated with the sensor device; straps/bands attached to theproxy device may be employed to physically secure or couple the proxydevice to a user during operation; notably, although illustrated asbeing disposed on or fixed to a top surface of the sensor case, the NFCtag may be embedded within the case or band (to reduce or minimizepotential for damage), disposed on or fixed to a bottom (or skinsurface) of the sensor case, and/or disposed on or fixed to an innerwall of an internal pouch that is accessible via the bottom or skin sideof the sensor case; and

FIG. 6 illustrates in block diagram form an exemplary processing deviceaccording to one or more embodiments of the present inventions; notably,the exemplary processing device may be an electronic device, forexample, a desktop computer and/or a portable electronic device such as,for example, mobile phone, PDA, laptop and tablet.

Again, there are many inventions described and illustrated herein. Thepresent inventions are neither limited to any single aspect norembodiment thereof, nor to any combinations and/or permutations of suchaspects and/or embodiments. Each of the aspects of the presentinventions, and/or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone or incombination with one or more of the other aspects of the presentinventions and/or embodiments thereof. For the sake of brevity, many ofthose combinations and permutations are not discussed separately herein.

Moreover, many other aspects, inventions and embodiments, which may bedifferent from and/or similar to, the aspects, inventions andembodiments illustrated in the drawings, will be apparent from thedescription, illustrations and claims, which follow. In addition,although various features and attributes have been illustrated in thedrawings and/or are apparent in light thereof, it should be understoodthat such features and attributes, and advantages thereof, are notrequired whether in one, some or all of the embodiments of the presentinventions and, indeed, need not be present in any of the embodiments ofthe present inventions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the outset, it should be noted that there are many inventionsdescribed and illustrated herein. The present inventions are neitherlimited to any single aspect nor embodiment thereof, nor to anycombinations and/or permutations of such aspects and/or embodiments.Moreover, each of the aspects of the present inventions, and/orembodiments thereof, may be employed alone or in combination with one ormore of the other aspects of the present inventions and/or embodimentsthereof. For the sake of brevity, many of those permutations andcombinations will not be discussed separately herein.

Further, in the course of describing and illustrating the presentinventions, various circuitry, architectures, structures, components,functions and/or elements, as well as combinations and/or permutationsthereof, are set forth. It should be understood that circuitry,architectures, structures, components, functions and/or elements otherthan those specifically described and illustrated, are contemplated andare within the scope of the present inventions, as well as combinationsand/or permutations thereof.

With that in mind, in one aspect, the present inventions are directed toa system including (1) one or more activity, biometric and/orenvironmental sensor devices (for example, an activity monitoring devicesuch as any device described and illustrated in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/156,304, entitled “Portable Monitoring Devices and Methodsof Operating Same”, filed Jun. 8, 2011) having one or more activity,biometric and/or environmental sensors and one or more active and/orpassive wireless “transmitter” circuitry (for example, near fieldcommunication “NFC” transmitter) to transmit an NFC tag associated withthe sensor device, and (2) a processing device (for example, a portableelectronic device, for example, a mobile phone, PDA and tablet) and/orcomputer (or the like) having wireless receiver (for example, NFC readercircuitry) to detect the identification data of the NFC tag of theactivity, biometric and/or environmental sensor device wherein, inresponse to determining the identification data of the NFC tag, theprocessing device executes one or more applications or implements one ormore operations associated with or corresponding to the detected NFC tag(for example, an application/operation which implements communication(for example, communication of data and/or command (such as, forexample, sensor configuration data), synchronization and/or pairingfunction). Notably, one or more applications or operations associatedwith or corresponding to the detected NFC tag may be one or two wayactive communication, for example, between the sensor device, theprocessing device, one or more external devices, and/or one or morenetworks (for example, the Internet).

In one embodiment, the present inventions are based on an NFC protocolwherein the activity, biometric and/or environmental sensor deviceincludes a NFC antenna and radio (or equivalent) and the processingdevice includes an NFC reader or receiver. (See, FIG. 1A). In operation,the processing device, upon detecting the presence of the activity,biometric and/or environmental sensor device and/or a proxy devicethereof, launches, runs and/or executes one or more applications thatare associated with, corresponds to and/or is appropriate for the sensordevice. Here, the NFC antenna and radio associated with the sensordevice may be physically coupled to or embedded in the sensor deviceand/or separate therefrom wherein, under these circumstances, the NFCantenna and radio/transmitter associated with the sensor device may be(in addition to, or in lieu of being physically coupled to or embeddedin the sensor device) physically coupled to or embedded in a proxydevice which is detected by the processing device (see FIG. 1B). Theproxy device (for example, a case to which or in which the sensor devicemay be attached or stored during use see, for example, FIG. 5), or anobject frequently in proximity of the sensor device such as a watch,running shoes or exercise equipment) is associated with the sensordevice. In this way, a processing device (having the NFC reader) maylaunch one or more applications that are associated with, corresponds toand/or is appropriate for the sensor device even where, for example, thesensor device is not (i) in proper, suitable or close proximity to theprocessing device, (ii) physically coupled to the NFC antenna and/ortransmitter and/or (iii) includes and/or is physically, readily and/oreasily accessible. (See, FIG. 1B).

In one embodiment, the processing device (for example, mobile phone,tablet or the like) launches, runs and/or executes an application (whichmay also have been available, present or running in the background) thataccesses and/or retrieves data from, for example, resident memory, oneor more external devices and/or one or more networks (for example, oneor more the sites on the Internet). The processing device may includetransmitter and receiver circuits (hereinafter collectively“transceiver”) which employ one or more wired or wireless communicationprotocols, techniques and/or systems to access and/or retrieve data (forexample, the data from one or more external devices and/or one or morenetworks (for example, one or more the sites on the Internet). Here, thewired or wireless communication protocols, techniques and/or systems maybe different from the NFC protocol, technique and/or system employed tointerrogate the NFC tag and obtain or acquire the identificationinformation form the sensor device. The acquired data, in oneembodiment, is associated with and/or corresponds to the activity,biometric and/or environmental sensor device (or the user thereof). Forexample, such data may be any activity, biometric and/or environmentalinformation now known or later developed, including current and/orhistorical data corresponding to calories, steps, distance, stairs,floors, altitude, location, body heat, galvanic skin response, heartrate, respiration, blood pressure, stress, blood sugar levels, SpO₂,sleep quality, temperature, infrared or thermal signature, motion,vibration, temperature, humidity, air quality, pressure, weight, bodyfat. Thereafter, the processing device may output the data to theuser—for example, display the data.

In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, the processing device (forexample, mobile phone, tablet or the like) launches, runs and/orexecutes one or more applications (which, again, may also have beenavailable, present or running in the background) which, for example,access, synchronize and/or retrieve data, for example, activity,biometric and/or environmental sensor data, from the sensor device. Inaddition, the processing circuitry may thereafter forward/transmit suchdata (or data based on the retrieved data) to one or more externaldevices and/or networks (for example, the Internet). The processingdevice may also output the retrieved data to a display associated withthe processing device and thereby display such data to the user.

Notably, a sensor device may also be a processing device (having the NFCreader). For example, in one embodiment, the sensor device, undercertain conditions, operates or functions as a sensor device (includingan NFC antenna and/or transmitter) and, under other conditions, may be aprocessing device (including an NFC reader) which executes one or moreapplications or operations associated with a different sensor device ora proxy device which is associated with different sensor device (havingan NFC antenna and/or transmitter) upon detecting the presence of thesensor device and/or a proxy device.

The present inventions may employ any short-range wireless communicationprotocol, technique and system now known or later developed including,for example, NFC, RFID or Bluetooth protocols, techniques and systems.Thus, although embodiments of the inventions are described herein in thecontext of an NFC communication protocol, technique and system, thepresent inventions may be implemented in any short-range wirelesscommunication protocol, technique and/or system (for example, wirelesscommunications of less than 20 feet, and preferably less than 2 feet,and more preferably, less than 1 foot). For the sake of brevity,discussions in such other protocols, techniques and/or systems will notbe repeated.

Thus, when a sensor device and/or proxy device comes into proximity of aprocessing device which is equipped with an NFC reader, the sensordevice and/or proxy device transmits identification data associated withthe sensor device. The identification data may uniquely identify theparticular sensor device. In another embodiment, the identification datamay also correspond to the general type or class of sensor device or itmay correspond to a group of sensor devices. The identification data maycontain any type of information/data including character-based, numeric,alphabetic, URL, and/or combinations thereof. The identification datamay contain any information and/or data now known or later developedthat may be employed to uniquely identify the sensor device, type ofsensor device, group of sensor devices, and/or proxy device or devices.(See, FIGS. 2A and 2B). Indeed, the identification data may also containinformation to simultaneously identify two or more of the particularsensor device, type of sensor device and/or group of sensor devicesand/or proxy device or devices. The identification data may also containinformation about actions and/or operations that should be or are to beperformed in associated with the particular sensor device, type ofsensor device and/or group of sensor devices and/or proxy device ordevices.

The NFC reader in the processing device uses the identification data ofthe NFC tag to automatically launch or execute one or more applicationsor implement one or more operations associated with the NFC tag, sensordevice and/or proxy device (for example, an application or operationwhich implements communication, synchronization and/or pairing withassociated external devices, appliances and/or a network (for example,the Internet). In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, the applicationmay already be operating, executing and/or running, for example, as abackground task in the NFC reader's operating system or as an integratedand integral part of the NFC reader's operating system or functionality.Thereafter (for example, immediately thereafter), the one or moreapplications may implement one or more of the following actions,operations and/or functions, and/or facilitate the user to implementand/or perform actions, operations and/or functions via a user interfaceof the processing device:

-   -   Display, manipulate, transmit (for example, to the Internet),        store and/or analyze information acquired from the sensor device        via NFC communication. Data and/or instructions may also be        transmitted to and stored in the sensor device and/or proxy        device via NFC communication channel (and/or separate        communication channel). (See, FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C).    -   Initiate connection to the sensor device via another        communication technique and/or protocol (for example,        communication via Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), WiFi,        GSM or other cellular technology) using the NFC communication        circuitry/technique or other communication circuitry/technique        (for example, wired, wireless and/or optical techniques        including IR, optical, audio, haptic, etc.). (See, FIGS. 1B, 3B        and 3C). In one embodiment, after connection is established, the        application may implement bi-directional communication over the        NFC communication channel or other communication channel. Where        the sensor device includes a display, the sensor device may        display any data and/or commands (on the sensor device). Such        data/commands may be from the processing device, appliance or        network (for example, the Internet). Notably, the data and/or        commands may be transferred in real-time and/or in mass or bulk        at, for example, a prescribed time. Moreover, the initiation of        the subsequent communication and/or connection with the sensor        device may be immediate upon launch, initiation and/or execution        of the application or sometime thereafter (for example, a        predetermined time after launch, initiation and/or execution of        the application.    -   Acquire NFC tag from proxy device and initiate connection to the        sensor device, an appliance and/or the internet via another        communication technique and/or protocol (for example,        communication via Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, GSM or        other cellular technology) using the NFC communication        circuitry/technique or other communication circuitry (for        example, wired, wireless and/or optical techniques). (See, FIGS.        1B and 3B). After connection (for example, communication        channel) is established with the sensor device, an appliance        and/or the Internet, the application may be bi-directional        communication of data and/or commands (for example,        synchronization and/or sensor configuration data) between the        processing device and such sensor device, appliance and/or the        Internet.    -   Display on the processing device a “virtual” user interface of        the sensor device, for example, a user interface that        facilitates or allows a user to configure the sensor device.        Configuration data may include, for example, setting the        date/time on the sensor device, setting network configuration        (such as WiFi network and password), adjusting the illumination        of the display, volume of audio output and/or intensity of        vibration, input user's biometric information (for example,        height, weight, gender, age, etc.), enabling or disabling        communication circuitry (for example, turning-off any        transmitters or receivers (i.e., place the sensor in an        “airplane” mode) and/or any other action that alters the        behavior or user interface of the sensor device. The        configuration data may be transmitted over NFC communication        channel or via another/different mechanism or communication        protocol, technique and/or system (for example, Bluetooth).    -   Display on the processing device a user interface that allows or        facilitates a user to initiate a social connection        (“friendship”) with another user via the sensor device. This        social connection may be stored on the processing device, sensor        device, and/or transmitted to an external service, device or        website.    -   Display on the processing device a user interface that allows or        facilitates a user to invite another user to an event or group.        An event may be virtual or physical and may include        collaborative or competitive competitions or games. A group may        be physical or virtual.    -   Display on the processing device a user interface that allows or        facilitates a user to create and or send an annotation or marker        into the data collected by the sensor device. An annotation or        marker may indicate an event or activity, for example, a start        and/or stop of an activity performed or conducted by the user        (for example, a period of running, walking, bicycling, sleeping        or swimming). The annotation or marker may be transmitted to the        sensor device and stored in the memory or inserted in the data        stored in the sensor device. Alternatively, the annotation or        marker may be transmitted to another device or computer where        the annotation is inserted or stored for insertion and merging        with the sensor's data at a later time.    -   Automatically create and/or send an annotation or marker as        described above. The automatic creation would be based on        information in the NFC tag about predetermined actions to be        performed in connection with detection of a particular sensor        and/or proxy device, type of sensor device and/or group of        sensor devices and/or proxy device or devices.    -   Display on the processing device a user interface associated        with a proxy device NFC tag. In one embodiment, the proxy device        and therefore user interface displayed may be associated with a        specific activity and/or exercise. The processing device may        also communicate with the sensor device to notify it of the        identity or class of proxy device and/or the activity and/or        exercise associated with the proxy device. Communication of the        processing device with the sensor device may include, but is not        limited to sending a first code which puts the sensor device        into a mode for tracking metrics specific to the activity and/or        exercise associated with the proxy device. This activity and/or        exercise specific mode may cause the sensor device to change or        optimize the programs and/or algorithms used to track metrics.        In some embodiments, the first code may include programs and/or        algorithms which are subsequently used by the sensor device to        track metrics. The processing device may determine that the user        has ended and/or completed the activity and/or exercise        associated with the proxy device based on, for example, (i)        input from the user into the processing device and/or sensor        device indicating that the user has ended and/or completed the        activity and/or exercise, (ii) sensor signals from the sensor        device, (iii) the signal strength of the NFC tag (for example,        an inability to communicate with the associated NFC tag), (iv)        completion of a preplanned or preprogrammed exercise        routine, (v) detecting a second NFC tag of the proxy device        which corresponds to terminating or stopping the activity and/or        exercise, and/or (vi) by detecting the proxy device NFC tag a        second time. In the case that the proxy device NFC tag is        detected a second time, the first proxy device NFC tag may use a        “toggle” metaphor wherein subsequent detections of the tag        corresponds to “on” or “off.” For example a first detection        event may turn on the activity and/or exercise user interface        and/or mode, and a second detection event may turn off the        activity and/or exercise user interface and/or mode. In one        example, a dumbbell is the proxy device having an NFC tag. To        start an activity the user places their processing device in        proximity to the dumbbell NFC tag. The processing device then        shows a user interface associated with tracking dumbbell        activity and communicates with the sensor device to put it into        a special mode for tracking dumbbell activity. In one        embodiment, the activity may be terminated or stopped via a user        input (for example, the user pressing “stop”, pause or the like        on the processing device). In another embodiment, the activity        may be terminated or stopped in response to placing or locating        the processing device in proximity to the dumbbell NFC tag a        second time (that is, after the initial or first time, the        processing is within proximity of the NFC tag of the dumbbell to        initiate or provide NFC communication therebetween). The        processing device and/or sensor device may display metrics of        the dumbbell activity (and/or another activity—in those        instances where the user is performing that other activity) such        as number of dumbbell lifts and the duration of the activity        during and/or after the completion of the activity. Other proxy        devices include, for example, exercise equipment, treadmills,        elliptical trainers, bicycles, running shoes and/or swimming        pools and may use the technique described above. Such proxy        devices have particular metrics associated with the activity        corresponding to the proxy device or NFC tag.    -   Instruct (for example, automatically) the processing device to        communicate with the sensor device to establish, place or set it        to an activity and/or exercise mode associated with the activity        and/or exercise associated with the proxy device as described        above. The automatic mode setting may be based on information in        the NFC tag, the type of sensor device and/or the group of        sensor devices and/or proxy device or devices.    -   Display on the processing device a user interface that allows a        user to select a sensor device from a list of known sensor        devices that match a sensor device type or from a list of sensor        devices from a previously or dynamically created group of sensor        devices. These lists may be retrieved from storage in the        processing device and/or from another external service, device        and/or website. In one embodiment, this group of sensor devices        may be custom created by a user or may be dynamically created by        some set of criteria determined by the user. For example, a user        may have multiple temperature sensor devices in their home, one        in each room. If the identifier contains information about the        class of sensor device, the application may display a list of a        plurality of or all temperature sensor devices of which there        are one in each room. The user would then select the appropriate        sensor and discover the temperature in the room that the sensor        device is located in. The application (executed on the        processing device) may also allow the user to switch between a        particular sensor devices identified by the NFC tag, all the        known devices in a class of sensor devices, or all the devices        in a group. For instance, a tabbed metaphor may be used to        switch between the above.    -   Display on the processing device a user interface that        dynamically changes based on reading or not reading identifier        tag(s) of a sensor device(s). For example, in one embodiment, a        user may have video camera sensor devices installed in each room        in their home. The application is designed to show video streams        from each camera. A user may have individual NFC tags that        correspond to each video camera sensor device. As the user moves        the NFC reader to each tag (thereby reading the tag), the user        interface dynamically changes to display the video stream        originating from the video camera sensor device that corresponds        to the then read tag.    -   Pair a sensor or proxy device to an account of a registered user        on a website or external system or pair a sensor or proxy device        to another device or system (for example, another sensor/proxy        device, a processing device and/or a system). For example, in        one embodiment, a user may be associated with the application        which would query a website or external device/system to        determine whether the NFC tag of the sensor or proxy device is        associated with the user. If there were no existing association        and if the sensor device were not associated with any other        user, a pairing relationship would be automatically created        between the sensor and/or proxy device and the user. If there        was no user already associated with the application, the        application may ask the user to login to an existing account or        create a new account. The user may also choose to switch and        login to a different user account. Regardless, once there was a        user associated with the application, the application would then        query the website to determine whether the identification data        of the NFC tag of the sensor or proxy device were associated        with the user. If there were no existing association and if the        sensor or proxy device were not associated with any other user,        the system may initiate, facilitate and/or implement a pairing        relationship between the sensor and/or proxy device and the        user. In another embodiment, the pairing relationship would be        directly between the sensor or proxy device and another device        or system (for example, another sensor/proxy device, a        processing device and/or a system). In these embodiments, the        pairing relationship may reside on the NFC reader itself or on        the website or another device or system. The pairing may be        automatic or the application may confirm at various steps with        the user that the pairing should proceed.    -   Display a user interface on the processing device that allows        the user to pair to or unpair a sensor or proxy device from an        account of a registered user on website or system. This user        interface may also allow a user to pair or unpair a sensor or        proxy device from another device or system. The user interface        may be presented immediately upon execution, initiation and/or        launch of the application or may be accessed via a button, tab,        or some other visual metaphor.

The activity, biometric and/or environmental sensor device may includesuitable sensors to acquire any activity, biometric and/or environmentalinformation now known or later developed, including calories, steps,step count, distance, stairs, floors, altitude, location, body heat,galvanic skin response, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, stress,blood sugar levels, SpO₂, sleep quality, temperature, infrared orthermal signature, motion, vibration, temperature, humidity, airquality, pressure, weight, body fat. The sensor device may also acquirevideo or photographic information via a camera or cameras. As notedabove, the sensor device of the present inventions may be any activity,biometric monitoring device described and illustrated in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/156,304, entitled “Portable Monitoring Devicesand Methods of Operating Same”, filed Jun. 8, 2011. Moreover, the sensordevice of the present inventions may be any device described andillustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/346,275, entitled“Biometric Monitoring Device having a Body Weight Sensor, and Methods ofOperating Same”, filed Jan. 9, 2012. Indeed, the sensor device of thepresent inventions may include any of the activity, biometric and/orenvironment sensors described and illustrated in U.S. patent applicationSer. Nos. 13/156,304 and/or 13/346,275.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an exemplary sensordevice may include an NFC transmitter (an NFC tag and antenna) disposedon or secured to a sensor/electronics unit structure or substrate(which, in one embodiment, includes one or more activity, biometricand/or environmental sensors) and disposed in a housing of the sensordevice. Here, the NFC transmitter responsively outputs data which isrepresentative of the NFC tag to an NFC reader of, for example, aprocessing device. In response, the processing device uses theidentification data of the NFC tag to, for example, automatically launchor execute one or more applications or implement one or more operationsassociated with the NFC tag, sensor device and/or proxy device (forexample, an application or operation which implements communication,synchronization and/or pairing with associated external devices,appliances and/or a network (for example, the Internet). (See, forexample, FIGS. 3A-3C).

Notably, by disposing the NFC transmitter in the housing of the sensordevice, it is protected from inadvertent damage (for example, when beingdisposed on or coupled to the user during normal operation). The NFCtransmitter, however, may be physically coupled to any location on thesensor device (for example, sensor/electronics unit structure orsubstrate) using any technique or mechanism now known or later developed(for example, on the outer or exposed surface of the sensor deviceand/or within a housing of the sensor device).

As noted above, the sensor device may also include a separate ordifferent wireless transmitter and receiver circuits (hereinaftercollectively “transceiver”) (for example, a Bluetooth (for example,Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE)) radio circuit and antenna) to facilitatetwo-way communication with, for example, the processing device,application and/or network—including communication of data and/orcommands (such as, for example, sensor configuration data,synchronization and/or pairing with the processing device). (See, forexample, FIG. 3C). For example, with reference to FIG. 4B, wirelesstransceiver may also be disposed on or secured to the sensor/electronicsunit structure or substrate and disposed in the housing of the sensordevice. This wireless transceiver may employ the same or a differentwireless communication protocol, technique and system relative to theNFC transceiver discussed above. Indeed, the wireless transceiver mayemploy any protocol, technique and system now known or later developedincluding, for example, NFC, RFID or Bluetooth protocols, techniques andsystems. Here, the transceiver circuitry and antenna facilitatecommunication with the processing device. In response, the processingdevice may execute, initiate and/or launch an application and/orimplement one or more operations, for example, communication of dataand/or commands—such as, for example, sensor configuration data,synchronization and/or pairing with the processing device. (See, forexample, FIG. 3C).

In another embodiment, the sensor device includes an integrated wirelesstransceiver to (i) initially and responsively output identification datawhich is representative of the NFC tag to an NFC reader of, for example,a processing device, and (ii) to subsequently facilitate two-waycommunication with, for example, the processing device, applicationand/or network—including communication of data and/or commands (such as,for example, sensor configuration data, synchronization and/or pairingwith the processing device). This wireless transceiver may employ asingle or multiple wireless communication protocols, techniques andsystems. Indeed, the wireless transceiver may employ any protocol,technique and system now known or later developed including, forexample, NFC, RFID or Bluetooth protocols, techniques and systems.

As noted above, in certain embodiments, the sensor device is associatedwith a proxy device that includes one or more NFC tags which may be usedby a processing device to identify the sensor device associated with theproxy device. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, in one exemplaryembodiment, the proxy device includes an internal pouch or cavity (whichis exposed on the skin side of the case) to store the sensor deviceduring operation (when this proxy device is physically attached to theuser). With continued reference to FIG. 5, the proxy device includes asensor case having a cavity or pouch in which the sensor device residesduring operation, and an NFC tag which is associated with the sensordevice. The NFC tag may be disposed on or fixed to a surface of thesensor case (for example, a top surface), the NFC tag may be embeddedwithin the case or band (to reduce or minimize potential for damage),disposed on or fixed to a bottom (or skin surface) of the sensor case,and/or disposed on or fixed to an inner wall of the internal pouch orcavity that is accessible via the bottom or skin side of the sensorcase.

Notably, the sensor case may include an attachment mechanism to securethe sensor case (containing the sensor device (which, in one embodiment,includes one or more activity, biometric and/or environmental sensors))to the user during operation. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, inone illustrative embodiment, the sensor case is physically coupled tothe user via straps/bands having protrusions or posts (or the like) onthe first strap/band to engage notches or apertures on the secondstrap/band to secure the sensor case to the user (for example, to awrist, arm or leg). Notably, any mechanism now known or later developedmay be employed to physically couple the sensor case to the user. Forexample, the sensor case may be attached to a band (like, for example,an arm or wrist/watch band). Indeed, sensor case need not include anyattachment mechanism and may, for example, be physically coupled or“attached” to the user via being disposed in a pocket of clothing of theuser.

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. Whilecertain embodiments, features, attributes and advantages of theinventions have been described and illustrated, it should be understoodthat many others, as well as different and/or similar embodiments,features, attributes and advantages of the present inventions, areapparent from the description and illustrations. As such, theembodiments, features, attributes and advantages of the inventionsdescribed and illustrated herein are not exhaustive and it should beunderstood that such other, similar, as well as different, embodiments,features, attributes and advantages of the present inventions are withinthe scope of the present inventions.

As noted above, although embodiments of the inventions are describedherein in the context of an NFC communication protocol, technique andsystem, the present inventions may be implemented using other wirelesscommunication protocols, techniques and systems. In this regard, thepresent inventions may employ any short-range (for example, less than 20feet, and preferably less than 2 feet, and more preferably, less than 1foot) wireless communication protocol, technique and/or system now knownor later developed including, for example, NFC, RFID or Bluetoothprotocols, techniques and/or systems. As such, although detailedembodiments were directed to NFC system and techniques, the presentinventions may employ any communication technique and/or protocol may beany short-range wireless technology (for example, less than 20 feet, andpreferably less than 2 feet, and more preferably, less than 1 foot)including, for example, NFC, RFID or Bluetooth techniques, system andprotocols. For the sake of brevity, discussions in such other protocols,techniques and/or systems will not be repeated.

Further, each activity, biometric and/or environmental sensor device mayinclude a plurality of NFC transmitters or tags to transmit a pluralityof identification data associated with the sensor device. In thisembodiment, the processing device detects one or more NFC tags of thesensor device wherein, in response thereto, the processing deviceexecutes one or more applications or implements one or more operationsassociated with or corresponding to the detected NFC tag(s) (forexample, an application/operation which implements communication of dataand/or command (such as, for example, sensor configuration data) inconnection with a first NFC tag, synchronization in connection with asecond NFC tag, and/or pairing function in connection with a third NFCtag).

As noted above, the NFC tag may contain identification data thatuniquely identifies the particular sensor device. In another embodiment,the NFC tag includes identification data that may correspond to thegeneral type or class of sensor device or it may correspond to a groupof sensor devices. Such identification data may contain any type ofinformation/data including character-based, numeric, alphabetic, URL,and/or combinations thereof. The identification data of the NFC tag maycontain any information and/or data now known or later developed thatmay be employed to uniquely identify the sensor device, type of sensordevice, group of sensor devices, and/or proxy device or devices. Indeed,the identification data may also contain information to simultaneouslyidentify two or more of the particular sensor device, type of sensordevice and/or group of sensor devices and/or proxy device or devices. Inaddition, the identification data in the NFC tag may also containinformation about actions and/or operations that should be or are to beperformed in associated with the particular sensor device, type ofsensor device and/or group of sensor devices and/or proxy device ordevices.

Indeed, the present inventions are neither limited to any single aspectnor embodiment thereof, nor to any combinations and/or permutations ofsuch aspects and/or embodiments. Moreover, each of the aspects of thepresent inventions, and/or embodiments thereof, may be employed alone orin combination with one or more of the other aspects of the presentinventions and/or embodiments thereof.

Notably, a “circuit” means, among other things, a single component (forexample, electrical/electronic) or a multiplicity of components (whetherin integrated circuit form, discrete form or otherwise), whether (i)digital and/or analog and/or (ii) active and/or passive, which arecoupled together to provide or perform a desired operation. In addition,“circuitry”, means, among other things, a circuit (whether integrated orotherwise), a group of such circuits, one or more processors, one ormore state machines, one or more processors implementing software, oneor more gate arrays, programmable gate arrays and/or field programmablegate arrays, or a combination of one or more circuits (whetherintegrated or otherwise), one or more state machines, one or moreprocessors, one or more processors implementing software, one or moregate arrays, programmable gate arrays and/or field programmable gatearrays.

It should be noted that the circuitry disclosed herein (circuitry of theprocessing device, sensor device and/or proxy device) may be describedusing computer aided design tools and expressed (or represented), asdata and/or instructions embodied in various computer-readable media, interms of their behavioral, register transfer, logic component,transistor, layout geometries, and/or other characteristics. Formats offiles and other objects in which such structure expressions may beimplemented include, but are not limited to, formats supportingbehavioral languages such as C, Verilog, and HLDL, formats supportingregister level description languages like RTL, and formats supportinggeometry description languages such as GDSII, GDSIII, GDSIV, CIF, MEBESand any other suitable formats and languages. Computer-readable media inwhich such formatted data and/or instructions may be embodied include,but are not limited to, non-volatile storage media in various forms(e.g., optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media) and carrierwaves that may be used to transfer such formatted data and/orinstructions through wireless, optical, or wired signaling media or anycombination thereof. Examples of transfers of such formatted data and/orinstructions by carrier waves include, but are not limited to, transfers(uploads, downloads, e-mail, etc.) over the Internet and/or othercomputer networks via one or more data transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP,FTP, SMTP, etc.).

Indeed, when received within a computer system via one or morecomputer-readable media, such data and/or instruction-based expressionsof the circuitry of the processing device, sensor device and/or proxydevice within the computer system in conjunction with execution of oneor more other computer programs including, without limitation, net-listgeneration programs, place and route programs and the like, to generatea representation or image of a physical manifestation of suchstructures. Such representation or image may thereafter be used indevice fabrication, for example, by enabling generation of one or moremasks that are used to form various components of the structures in adevice fabrication process.

Moreover, the various circuits, techniques and structures disclosedherein may be represented via simulations using computer aided designand/or testing tools. The simulation of the circuitry of the processingdevice, sensor device and/or proxy device, and/or characteristics oroperations thereof, may be implemented by a computer system whereincharacteristics and operations of such structures, and techniquesimplemented thereby, are imitated, replicated and/or predicted via acomputer system. The present inventions are also directed to suchsimulations of the inventive structures, and/or techniques implementedthereby, and, as such, are intended to fall within the scope of thepresent inventions. The computer-readable media corresponding to suchsimulations and/or testing tools are also intended to fall within thescope of the present inventions.

The term “identification tag” in the claims means, among other things anNFC tag, RFID or any other electronic ID or tag now known or laterdeveloped. The term “transceiver circuitry” in the claims means one ormore transmitter circuits and one or more receiver circuits (whether ornot one or more transmitter and receiver circuits incorporated orintegrated into a common integrated circuit) that implement one or morewired and/or wireless communication protocols and/or techniques. Theterm “data” in the claims means, among other things, analog or digitaldata (which may be a single bit (or the like) or multiple bits (or thelike)), whether encrypted and/or modulated.

Notably, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denoteany order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguishone element from another. Moreover, in the claims, the terms “a” and“an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotethe presence of at least one of the referenced item.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a portable sensor deviceincluding: a housing having a size and shape adapted for physicalcoupling with a user; one or more sensors for generating sensor data,the sensor data including activity and/or biometric sensor data relatedto the user and/or environmental sensor data related to an environmentaround the user; an identification tag including identification data,the identification data identifying the sensor device; and anidentification tag transmitter, electrically coupled with theidentification tag, for wirelessly transmitting the identification dataof the identification tag according to a first communication protocol; aportable electronic device including: a housing; a display disposed inthe housing; an identification tag receiver, disposed in the housing,for wirelessly receiving the identification data of the identificationtag according to the first communication protocol; transceivercircuitry, disposed in the housing, for wirelessly communicating with anexternal system according to a second communication protocol, and forcommunicating with the sensor device according to a third communicationprotocol; and processing circuitry, disposed in the housing andelectrically coupled with the display, the identification tag receiverand the transceiver circuitry, the processing circuitry for: instructingthe transceiver circuitry to communicate with the sensor device toacquire the sensor data generated by the sensor device; outputting thesensor data generated and acquired from the sensor device, or metricsderived therefrom, to the display; instructing the transceivercircuitry, after receiving the identification data of the identificationtag, to wirelessly request and receive, from the external system,acquired sensor data, or metrics derived therefrom, previouslytransmitted to the external system; and outputting the data or themetrics received from the external system for display on the display. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol is anNFC protocol.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitryis further for instructing the transceiver circuitry to wirelesslytransmit the acquired sensor data, or the metrics derived therefrom, tothe external system according to the second communication protocol. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further forinstructing the transceiver circuitry to transmit, via the thirdcommunication protocol, configuration data to the sensor device.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further foracquiring, via the transceiver circuitry, configuration data of thesensor device according to the first communication protocol.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further foracquiring, via the transceiver circuitry, configuration data of thesensor device according to the third communication protocol.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the processing circuitry, in response toreceiving the identification data of the identification tag,automatically transmits the request for the acquired sensor data, or themetrics derived therefrom, previously transmitted to the externalsystem.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification tagtransmitter automatically transmits the identification data to theportable electronic device when the identification tag is within aproximity of the portable electronic device.
 9. A system comprising: aportable sensor device including: a housing having a size and shapeadapted for physical coupling with a user; one or more sensors forgenerating sensor data, the sensor data including activity and/orbiometric sensor data related to the user and/or environmental sensordata related to an environment around the user; an identification tagincluding identification data, the identification data identifying thesensor device; and an identification tag transmitter, electricallycoupled with the identification tag, for wirelessly transmitting theidentification data of the identification tag according to a firstcommunication protocol; a portable electronic device including: ahousing; an identification tag receiver, disposed in the housing, forwirelessly receiving the identification data of the identification tagaccording to the first communication protocol; transceiver circuitry,disposed in the housing, for wirelessly communicating with the sensordevice according to a second communication protocol; and processingcircuitry, disposed in the housing and electrically coupled with theidentification tag receiver and the transceiver circuitry, theprocessing circuitry for: instructing the transceiver circuitry, afterreceiving the identification data of the identification tag, towirelessly request and receive the sensor data, or metrics derivedtherefrom, from the sensor device; and transmitting, via the transceivercircuitry, the requested sensor data, or the metrics derived therefrom,to an external system according to a third communication protocol. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein the first communication protocol is anNFC protocol and the second communication protocol is a Bluetoothprotocol.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the processing circuitry isfurther for transmitting, via the transceiver circuitry, configurationdata to the sensor device according to the second communicationprotocol.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the requested sensor data,or the metrics derived therefrom, includes data related to one or moreof calories burned, steps taken, a step count, a distance traveled,stairs climbed, floors ascended, altitude and sleep quality.
 13. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the identification tag transmitterautomatically transmits the identification data to the portableelectronic device when the identification tag is within a proximity ofthe portable electronic device.
 14. A system comprising: a portablesensor device including one or more sensors for generating sensor data,the sensor data including activity and/or biometric sensor data relatedto a user and/or environmental sensor data related to an environmentaround the user; a proxy device including: an identification tagincluding identification data, the identification data identifying thesensor device; and an identification tag transmitter, electricallycoupled with the identification tag, for wirelessly transmitting theidentification data of the identification tag according to a firstcommunication protocol; a portable electronic device including: ahousing; a display disposed in the housing; an identification tagreceiver, disposed in the housing, for wirelessly receiving theidentification data of the identification tag according to the firstcommunication protocol; transceiver circuitry, disposed in the housing,for wirelessly communicating with an external system according to asecond communication protocol, and for communicating with the sensordevice according to a third communication protocol; and processingcircuitry, disposed in the housing and electrically coupled with thedisplay, the identification tag receiver and the transceiver circuitry,the processing circuitry for: instructing the transceiver circuitry tocommunicate with the sensor device to acquire the sensor data generatedby the sensor device; outputting the sensor data generated and acquiredfrom the sensor device, or metrics derived therefrom, to the display;instructing the transceiver circuitry, after receiving theidentification data of the identification tag, to wirelessly request andreceive, from the external system, acquired sensor data, or metricsderived therefrom, previously transmitted to the external system; andoutputting the data or the metrics received from the external system fordisplay on the display.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the firstcommunication protocol is an NFC protocol.
 16. The system of claim 14,wherein the processing circuitry is further for instructing thetransceiver circuitry to wirelessly transmit the acquired sensor data,or the metrics derived therefrom, to the external system according tothe second communication protocol.
 17. The system of claim 14, whereinthe processing circuitry is further for instructing the transceivercircuitry to transmit, via the third communication protocol,configuration data to the sensor device.
 18. The system of claim 14,wherein the first communication protocol is an NFC protocol and thethird communication protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.
 19. The system ofclaim 14 wherein the processing circuitry, in response to receiving theidentification data of the identification tag, automatically transmits,via the transceiver circuitry, the request for the acquired sensor data,or the metrics derived therefrom, previously transmitted to the externalsystem.
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the identification tagtransmitter automatically transmits the identification data to theportable electronic device when the identification tag is within aproximity of the portable electronic device.
 21. A system comprising: aportable sensor device including one or more sensors for generatingsensor data, the sensor data including activity and/or biometric sensordata related to the user and/or environmental sensor data related to anenvironment around the user; a proxy device including: an identificationtag including identification data, the identification data identifyingthe sensor device; and an identification tag transmitter, electricallycoupled with the identification tag, for wirelessly transmitting theidentification data of the identification tag according to a firstcommunication protocol; a portable electronic device including: ahousing; an identification tag receiver, disposed in the housing, forwirelessly receiving the identification data of the identification tagaccording to the first communication protocol; transceiver circuitry,disposed in the housing, for wirelessly communicating with the sensordevice according to a second communication protocol; and processingcircuitry, disposed in the housing and electrically coupled with theidentification tag receiver and the transceiver circuitry, theprocessing circuitry for: instructing the transceiver circuitry, afterreceiving the identification data of the identification tag, towirelessly request and receive the sensor data, or metrics derivedtherefrom, from the sensor device; and transmitting via the transceivercircuitry, the requested sensor data, or the metrics derived therefrom,to an external system according to a third communication protocol. 22.The system of claim 21, wherein the first communication protocol is anNFC protocol and the second communication protocol is a Bluetoothprotocol.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the processing circuitryis further for transmitting via the transceiver circuitry, configurationdata to the sensor device according to the second communicationprotocol.
 24. The system of claim 21, wherein portable sensor device hasa size and shape adapted for physical coupling with the proxy device.25. The system of claim 21, wherein the requested sensor data, or themetrics derived therefrom, includes data related to one or more ofcalories burned, steps taken, a step count, a distance traveled, stairsclimbed, floors ascended, altitude and sleep quality.
 26. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the identification tag transmitter automaticallytransmits the identification data to the portable electronic device whenthe identification tag is within a proximity of the portable electronicdevice.